FINAL
FINAL Reading in Nebraska’s unicameral process is the third and FINAL round of floor debate. Advancing a bill to FINAL Reading is a simple step-by-step process.
Step #1 Senator introduces the bill. BTW, your friendly neighborhood lobbyist can be a terrific little helper.
Step #2 The bill is referenced to a subject matter committee of 7-8 senators (e.g. tax bills are referenced to the Revenue Committee).
Step #3 The Committee holds a public hearing for the bill. Talk. Talk. Talk. More aye votes than nays…advance to:
Step #4 General File. Talk. Talk. Talk. More aye votes than nays…advance to:
Step #5 Select File. Talk. Talk. Talk. More aye votes than nays…advance to:
Step #6 FINAL Reading. No talk. Vote. More aye votes than nays…advance to:
Step #7 Governor Ricketts. TAH-DAH.
I tell you that, to tell you this. FINAL is never FINAL in our Unicameral. A bill that passes FINAL Reading can be returned for an amendment. At which time it may be killed.
If the Governor vetoes a bill, it returns to the Legislature for an override vote. At which time it may be killed.
In fact, when a bill is killed, and dead as good old George Norris himself, it’s not FINAL! Any senator can simply reintroduce the very same bill next year. And, the process begins all over again. To paraphrase Yogi, “it ain’t FINAL till………
NA-BA Watchlist
LB284 (McCollister Priority Bill) Internet sales tax collection bill moved to General File.